Supplementary fixture support



Sept. 30, 1952 G. D. SMITH SUPPLEMENTARY FIXTURE SU PPORT 2 SHEETSSHEET 1 Filed March 1, 1947 & 5. mm w m5 m. WL A L Q m m mu Sept. 30, 1952 G. D. sh/Hm SUPPLEMENTARY FIXTURE v$ PPORT 2 SHEETSSHEET 2 Filed Mafch 1, 1947 IN VEN TOR. EEUHEBDUNALD 5M1 TH @M Qua Patented Sept. 30, 1952 UNITED STATES PAT-TENT FFICIE.

v 2,612,273; I Q SUPPLEM NTARY FIXTURE SUPPORT George Donald Smith, Toledmflhio. Application;March 1, 1947;,sferia1: No. 731L74 This invention relates to a support for a supplementary fixture of the type applicable to bathrooms, kitchensand the like. More specifically, the invention is directed to a support which is used with an existing towel rod to provide additional towel or shelf space.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a supplementary support which is simple to attach to an existing fixture without the use of any kind of tools.

Another object of the invention is to provide a support which is capable of carrying a substantial load withoutaccidental displacement.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a support which can be manufactured easily and inexpensively.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings showing two preferred forms of the invention and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a supplementary towel bar constructed in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 is a side election thereof; Fig. 3 is a front elevation of one end member, the cross members being shown fragmentarily; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a shelf support; Fig. 5 is a side elevation thereof; and Fig. 6 is a front elevation of one end member, the supported shelf being broken away.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to Figs. 1, 2, and 3, a specific embodiment of the invention includes side or end members I0 and II and cross members I2 and I3. Each side or end member comprises a single piece of spring metal which may be either round or flat in cross section and which is formed to a configuration including, at the top, a portion I4 for engagement with upper cross member I2. In Figs. 1, 2, and 8 this cross member is shown as a towel bar, round in cross section, so that portion I4 conveniently comprises a loop of metal partially encircling the rod and gripping it by spring tension. If a metal towel rod is used, it may also be desirable to spot weld it in place.

A wall engaging portion or bight I5 is formed inwardly and below the top of the side member which is next formed outwardly in a center spring area I6. At or near the-apex of the area IS, the side member is notched or formed to receive an existing towel bar indicated in dotted lines at I. Continuing down from the point of engagement with the existing support I, the side member again is brought rearwardly ina second wall engaging portion I'I adjacent which is another, low- Q aimS. (01.21.1986);

er, cross member receiving member I8 again shown in the form of a loop which holds cross member I3 in place by its spring tension. Here also, the crossmember may conveniently be made integral with the side part by welding or, if round stock is used, the parts may be formed from a single piece.

In its unstressed, normal condition each side member assumes the configuration shown in full lines in Fig. 2. When in place against a wall and in association with an existing support, the parts are sprung to the dotted line position in this figure, and by their tension form a supplementary support capable of bearing a substantial load on both the upper and lower cross members I2 and I3 without displacement from its attached position. Obviously if the cross members are held in place by spring tension alone, the device becomes adjustable as to width, an advantage when used with a non-standard existing support.

In the form shown in Figs. 4, 5, and 6, no lower cross member is used, but a fiat pad 20 is formed at the lower extremity of each side member. Each of the spring side members is provided with a relatively extensive upper wall engaging portion 22 and is then projected outwardly in a flat, horizontal shelf support 24. A reinforcing angle piece 26 may extend below support 24 and, if desired, may be formed from the blank used for the side piece so that it need only be fixed at its upper end during manufacture. The operation of this form of the invention is the same as that of the previously described form, it being only necessary for the user to slip the spring side members It and l I behind an existing towel bar, stressing the parts from the full line position in Fig. 5 to the dotted line position there indicated. When the side members are in attached position a shelf 28 may be supported on the horizontal members 24 and will bear a considerable load without danger of displacement.

While two preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it should be expressly understood that numerous modifications and changes maybe made without departing from the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. A supplementary support adapted to cooperate with an'existing towel bar or the like which projects outwardly from and is fixed to a wall, which comprises spaced vertical flexible side members each of which has a bar-receiving indentation therein, legs extending inwardly above and below the indentation a distance such that deformation of the legs is required to position the supplementary support on a towel bar or the like, bearing surfaces on each of said legs adapted to engage the wall so that deformation of the legs results in resilient pressure of said indentation against the towel bar, and a load bearing member extending between said side members.

2. A supplementary support adapted to cooperate with an existing towel bar or the like which projects upwardly from and is fixed to a Wall, which comprises spaced vertical flexible side members, each of which includes means to releasably engage said towel bar, legs extending in'-- wardly above and below the indentation a distance such that deformation of the legs is required to position the supplementary support on a towel bar or the like, bearing surfaces on each of said legs adapted to engage the wall so that deformation of the legs results in resilient pres.- sure of said indentation against the towel bar, load bearing cross members extending between 4 the side members above and below said bar engaging means, and means on each of said side members for adjustably supporting at least one of the cross members in spaced relation to the wall.

GEORGE DONALD SMITH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

